of Searcy, AR
August 5, 1943 - April 2, 2019
Lewis Francis ''Tony'' Finley was born August 5, 1943 to Louis Clifton Finley and Martha Lee (Griffin) Finley. He went to be with the Lord April 2, 2019.
He received his Bachelors of Science from Henderson State Teachers College. He went on to earn a Master of Arts from Southeast Missouri State College and Doctorate of Education from The University of Arkansas.
While he was a quiet man, he was a person of great strength and many interests. He lost his left arm and 2 fingers on his right hand in a work accident when he was 16. His passion was baseball with hopes of playing in the Major Leagues. After his accident, he redirected his dream and pursued a career in teaching, which proved to be his new life passion. In his 52 years as an educator, he taught chemistry and math, coached boys basketball, girls volleyball, and served as principal and superintendent. He taught in public schools in Missouri and Arkansas, and for the last 38 years of his career, he was employed at by Harding Academy and Harding University, where he served as the Dean of the College of Education for 17 years. During his employment at Harding, he proudly served under the leadership of 3 presidents: Dr. Clifton Ganus, Jr., Dr. David Burks, and Dr. Bruce McLarty. In 1987, he established the STEM center in the College of Education, and in 2016 the center was dedicated to him and was named the Lewis ''Tony'' Finley STEM center. During his years as an educator, he always had other work he was involved in. He was owner of a department and athletic supply store, and for 22 years he was a home building contractor in Searcy. His passion for baseball continued and he coached at different levels for 29 years. Buying and selling cars was one of his favorite hobbies, and he kept the window sticker form every car that he ever owned. After his retirement, one of his great joys was the complete restoration of a 1929 Model-A Ford, which he was able to finish just before his passing.
On April 1, 1961, he married his high school sweetheart, Bettye Sue Lovern when he was 17 years old. Tony and Bettye walked together faithfully for 58 years, keeping the promise, ''until death do us part''. They had 2 children, Tonita Denise Hickey (Steve) and Tony Scott Finley (Cheryl), 4 grandchildren, Heather Denise Rollins (Demario), Tyler Scott Finley, Corbin Trent Finley (Piper), and Tara Suanne Finley, and 3 great-grandchildren, Makayela Sue Rollins, Madelyn Elizabeth Rollins, and Micah Jordan Rollins. He is also survived by is younger brother Rodney Joe Finley (Jeannie) of Ozark, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his father Louis Clifton Finley, his mother Martha Lee ''Madeline'' Griffin Finley, and his little brother Ronald Gene Finley.
He served the Lord's church in many capacities during the span of his life. He was a classroom teacher, education director, VBS director, Joy Bus Program director, deacon, elder, and pulpit minister. As a foster parent himself, he worked with the children's home of Paragould in the placement of foster children. At his death, he was a member of the College Church of Christ in Searcy, Arkansas.
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18 Condolence(s)
Ron Burk
Saturday, April 24, 2021
I just learned of his passing today, from a mutual aquaintance.
He taught in my High School in 1968.
He taught science and coaced the JR Varisity Basketball team.
We all knew him as 'Friendly Finlaey' .
He was just the nicest guy you ever met.
My wife (Dr. Lina Leatherwood Burk) taught with him at Harding.
He left a lasting impression that school, and I am sure everyone he ever met.
God bless...
Gerri Lynn Finley Wells
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Remember Tony so we'll haven't seen him in years but the lost of two first cousins in a short time is sad . prayers are with you and your family love Gerri Lynn
Cheryl Holland
Friday, April 5, 2019
What a blessing Dr. Finley has been in the lives of so many educators in our area. From his hands on approach in college classes to the many Field Studies trips many of us took with him, he made learning fun enabling us to do the same for our students. Love and prayers for the family.
Cheryl Holland
Friday, April 5, 2019
What a blessing Dr. Finley has been in the lives of so many educators in our area. From his hands on approach in college classes to the many Field Studies trips many of us took with him, he made learning fun enabling us to do the same for our students. Love and prayers for the family.
Bob & Gwen Anderson
Friday, April 5, 2019
Sincerest Sympathy
Ashley Veatch
Friday, April 5, 2019
I got to know Tony a little bit through his granddaughter, Heather. He will be greatly missed. May God bless you all with strength and courage to face these difficult days.
Douglas G. Zahn
Friday, April 5, 2019
I was Tony's guide in restoring his Model A car. We spent a lot of phone time discussing how to make his Model A a working car.
I always enjoyed talking with him as he shared stories with me.
Doug Zahn
Pat
Thursday, April 4, 2019
He was one of my professors while I attended Harding University. He was a great teacher but he also put his personality and stories in his lectures! I have fond memories of him. God Bless his family!
Brenda Miller
Thursday, April 4, 2019
I am praying for all of the family. Tony helped us add on and remodel our home a few years back. He was such a blessing to us for all he did to help us with that endeavor. Such a brilliant man. In the past few years we would run into Tony and Bettye on Saturday mornings at all of our favorite breakfast spot. We always enjoyed getting to catch up. Love you all and wish comfort and blessings during this difficult time.
Treva Terrell Pryor
Thursday, April 4, 2019
The passing of Tony is a loss for the Lord's church, the field of education, and the building of cars and houses. All of these he did well. The greatest loss is for friends and family whom he loved and cared for deeply. He was a good and talented man and I will remember him as a person of example that made the most of life. I send my sympathy and respect to and for the family and will remember you in my prayers. Bettye, what a great example you have been as a constant and caring companion!
Beth Wilson
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Ed and I are deeply sorry to hear of the death of Tony. He was an outstanding Christian educator. Praying that God will give the family peace and comfort during this time.
Woody and Linda Wilson
Thursday, April 4, 2019
We are so saddened by the passing of Dr. Finley, he was such a kind man and we were so fortunate to have known him. Prayers for the sweet family.
Diane Tate
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Betty and family. I am so sorry for your loss. Dr. Finley was a great man and educator. My thoughts and prayers are with yall. Diane Tate Brumley
Dennis & Terri Rine
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Oh how we love your family and are saddened with Tony's passing! As you grieve the loss of this great man, please know how much we care. You all are in our prayers.
Malinda Plummer
Thursday, April 4, 2019
His passing fills my heart with sadness. My heartfelt condolences for you, Mrs. Betty and to his children and grandchildren. Dr. Finley touched so many lives with a positive impact. His legacy will cross generations of children through his teaching and mentoring so many of us teachers. He challenged us to learn all we could so we could be teachers our children needed. The void left by his passing is huge. May God provide all of his family and friends with the strength to get through this very difficult time. Rest In Peace and Love Dr. Finley.
Susie Ward
Thursday, April 4, 2019
My prayers are with all of you at this time. It is difficult to imagine the loss of such an influential educator. I worked with Dr. Finley for many years through the Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Coop in Beebe. The influence that he had on educators in math and science is still being seen in the classrooms of Arkansas. I am proud to say that he was my friend and mentor. God bless you all.
Coach Bill and Glenda Koen
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Our hearts are very sad. We love our sweet long time friends. We are praying for you, Bettye, and the children and grandchildren. We will always remember Tony and his wonderful and kind approach to life. He was an inspiration to so many on this earth, including us. Tony was truly one of a kind. Our Lord has now given him rest from all tribulations of this earth. I know he is singing with the Lord's heavenly choir, and is with his loved ones there. We hope to be there tomorrow., Betty. We love you and the children.
Irene Gray
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Betty, I was saddened to see the obituary for Tony. My thoughts and prayers are with all of the Finley family at this time. Irene Gray